Proposition KK would charge a new 6.5% excise tax on the manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition. The tax would be imposed on firearms dealers, manufacturers, and ammunition vendors. The revenue would go to a new fund called the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Cash Fund and would be used to fund criminal victim services programs, mental and behavioral health programs for kids and veterans and school security and safety programs.
A “yes” vote approves the new tax. A “no” vote opposes creation of the new tax.
Prop. KK is expected to generate up to $39 million the first full year it goes into effect.
The federal government currently charges a10% tax on handguns of and 11% on ammo with the proceeds funding national wildlife conservation and hunting programs. In Colorado, gun buyers also currently pay state and local sales taxes on guns and ammo. These taxes varying depending on where you live.
Arguments for Proposition KK:
In June, 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis. Gun violence causes significant and costly harm to Coloradans, physically, mentally, financially and emotionally. It is known that the more firearms there are in a community, the more homicides, suicides, domestic violence and violent crimes occur in that community. The trauma of these outcomes takes a toll on a community. 71% of all firearm deaths in Colorado are suicides and Colorado has the the 13th highest rate of suicides using guns in the United States, with one person killed every 13 hours. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Education, suicide is a leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults ages 18-25. This makes placing an additional tax on firearms and ammunition an appropriate way to try and reduce these impacts.
Arguments against Proposition KK:
Proposition KK puts a financial burden on people who want to buy guns. The tax would make it harder for people of limited financial means to buy guns. People may go to other states to buy them if this tax passes, hurting Colorado gun businesses. If the state wants to strengthen and support programs to help gun violence victims and improve mental health, it should fund them with the state’s current resources.
Who supports Proposition KK?
Proposition KK is supported by Every Town for Gun Safety, the League of Women Voters, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), The American Association of University Women (AAUW), Violence Free Colorado, the Colorado Children’s Alliance, SEIU Local 105, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District (note this is not Mesa County’s District Attorney — we are the 21st Judicial District), the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Colorado Nurse’s Association, Project Hope of Gunnison Valley, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and many others.
Who opposes Proposition KK?
Just one committee registered with the state to oppose Proposition KK called “Stop Tax Increases.” It’s registered agent is a person associated with a law firm that specializes in legal affairs and policy. Stop Tax Increases never registered any contributions or expenditures with the Colorado Secretary of State since its formation.
Recommended vote on Proposition KK: YES.
Since some of the money will go to mental health, I’m going to just point out that the photo of the Uvalde classroom shows the actual blood of other people’s beloved children.
I encourage you to think about how photos such as these might affect Mesa Valley teachers, students, and families before posting in a public forum.
Especially given that Mesa Valley schools inflicts trauma-inducing simulated armed assailants drills upon students and staff on a regular basis.
This photo and others of mass shooting crime scenes were published by the Washington Post, so they are already in the public realm. The impact, and facing the reality, is the point.
“This makes placing an additional tax on firearms and ammunition an appropriate way to try and reduce these impacts.”
This tax will do nothing to reduce anything other than the number of poor people being able to afford buying a gun in Colorado (legally).
This is a way to fund victim assistance, whose funding at the federal level is dwindling, on the backs of well-off gun owners. Why not just be honest about it?
Cigarette taxes greatly reduce the use of cigarettes, especially among young people who can least afford the tax. The higher the tax, the less people use them. In tax terms, this is called a “nexus” — a connection that links two or more things. There is a nexus between increasing the price of guns and ammo, and reducing their use.
Ahh yes…the whole “affordability of guns”argument. Hysterical! As we all know how sympathetic you are the the plight of poor people. Good lord, your mental gymnastics are so dizzying you must be on a heavy dose of DRAMAmine